As an exterminator, I am often asked the difference between ant swarms and termite swarms. Indeed, the two look very much alike. A good way to tell them apart is at their waist. If the individual insect has a pinched waist, it is most likely an ant. If it looks to not have a waist and rather looks like a small black tube with wings, it is most likely a termite. Never fear in either case as you’ve come to the right place. Your local pest professionals at JCE have both the tools and the talent to take care of you!
Of course, many would prefer to have flying ants over the termites since flying termites are an obvious sign of wood under threat. Still, when it comes to flying carpenter ants, they too pose a danger to surrounding wood and trees. As a general rule, the carpenter ants are larger than other ants; however, their identification can be tricky. Carpenter ants can cause wood damage that can be just as disheartening as any termite’s.
It is important to be able to identify and manage the wood-destroying pests as soon as possible and work to practice prevention techniques.
These include:
• Quickly fixing leaks and leaky spickets
• Eliminating standing water and excess moisture in crawls and basements
• Cleaning out gutters at least once a year
• Cutting tree limbs back away from the house
• Removing dead trees and logs
• Storing firewood off of the ground (on racks) and away from the house
• Once-a-year inspections of the property
• Power Spray Protection Program (does not protect against termites but your best bet for carpenter ants and other occasional outside invaders)
JCE seeks to protect your home from damaging insects and those that disrupt your life. Our pest control team is trained to identify potential problems and safely handle any infestations. Ants? Termites? There’s only one call to make!
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